Glasgow has been named host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The Scottish city beat Nigeria's capital, Abuja. The decision was announced in Sri Lanka after a vote by seventy-one Commonwealth nations. This report from Roland Buerk:

Glasgow's bid team leapt with delight and hugged each other when the announcement was made. There had been long moments of suspense as the votes were cast and counted. But when they came in Glasgow had roundly beaten Nigeria's capital, Abuja, to become host city at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The losers sat in silent disappointment. All through the Commonwealth Games Federation meeting in Colombo, Glasgow had said their bid was simply better. More than seventy percent of the facilities are already in place. Abuja had called on other nations to vote for them saying it was Africa's turn, the continent has never hosted the Commonwealth Games.

The bid team from Glasgow brought a special bottle of Scotch whisky to Colombo to be opened after the results - win or lose. And the celebrations have already begun.